Septumization of cellular cores

ABSTRACT

A composite acoustic liner has a septumized cellular core. Septa are installed in the core as the individual core cells are being formed. Individual tools are used to both form the cells of the core and index the septa within the cells. The septa and the cellular core are cocured.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/326,890, filed on Jul. 9, 2014, entitledSeptumization of Cellular Cores.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. Field

The present disclosure generally relates to acoustic treatments forreducing noise, and deals more particularly with septumization ofhoneycomb cellular cores.

2. Background

Aircraft engines produce noise primarily due to rotating blades whichcompress the airflow as well as rotating blades which extract energyfrom the airflow and the high-speed airflow through the exhaust nozzles.In order to reduce noise and satisfy noise regulations governingcommercial aircraft, aircraft engines may incorporate acoustic panels invarious parts of the engine, such as in the nacelle inlets, as well asthe aft bypass duct and primary nozzle. These acoustic panels, sometimesreferred to as acoustic treatments or acoustic liners, may comprise ahoneycomb core sandwiched between a perforated inner skin and anon-perforated outer skin. The honeycomb core often has a middle layerof porous material called a septum which is used to increase theacoustic performance of the liner. The design parameters of the septumin the cells of the honeycomb core usually consist of the porosity ofthe layer as well as the depth or location relative to the perforatedinner skin. The cavities that are formed by the septums act as Helmholtzresonators that attenuate the engine noise.

There are at least three known methods for septumization of honeycombcores, each of which requires the septa to be installed in the core in aseparate process after the honeycomb core has been fabricated. The firstmethod requires splitting the core and using an adhesive to bond aseptum layer between the split cores, however this approach is timeconsuming, labor intensive and may decrease the mechanical performanceof the core because it requires splitting the core. The second methodinvolves a lost wax process which creates a buried septum, where ahoneycomb core is pressed into wax. A thin layer of liquid resin floatson top of the wax which is then cured to form a solid layer and the waxis melted out of the honeycomb core. This buried septum process requiresan extra step in which a laser is used to perforate the solid septumlayer to the desired porosity. The third method involves using anautomated robotic process where individual septum pieces with tabs areinserted into each honeycomb cell. The tabs of the individual septumpieces are bonded to the honeycomb cell walls by carefully dipping thehoneycomb panel to a certain depth into a liquid adhesive. The processof installing the individual septum pieces can be time consuming andexpensive. Accordingly, there is a need for a method of septumizing ahoneycomb core used in an acoustic sandwich structure which obviates theneed for installing individual septum pieces in the core cells, orsplitting the core to allow the installation of a septum layer, or themany steps in using a lost wax process to create a solid septum layerand then using a laser to perforate the solid septum layer.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments provide a method for septumizing cellularcores that may be employed in sandwich panels used for acoustictreatments. The disclosed method avoids the need for splitting the coreduring septum installation as well as the many manufacturing stepsrequired in using the lost wax process or using automated roboticequipment to insert individual septums into each honeycomb cell. A largenumber of honeycomb core cells may be septumized quickly and easily.Septumization of the core is achieved as the cells of the core are beingfabricated, thereby eliminating a separate step of placing and securingthe septums within the core cells. The septums form an integral part ofthe core.

According to one disclosed embodiment, a method is provided of producinga septumized acoustic core. A plurality of individual composite septumsare formed and individual septums are installed respectively on aplurality of tools. The cells are formed by wrapping composite sheetsaround the tools. The septums are affixed in indexed positions withinthe cells by cocuring the cellular core and the septums. The tools areremoved from the cellular core after co-curing. The individual septumsare installed by sleeving them over a male tool member, following whicha female tool member is sleeved over the septum, such that the septum isheld between the male and female tool numbers. Wrapping the compositesheets is performed by weaving the sheets around the tools, such thatthe composite sheets are brought into contact with the exposed sectionsof the septums. Forming the cellular core includes assembling an arrayof the tools, and indexing each of the tools relative to the sheets tolocate the septums within the cells of the core. Forming the corefurther includes compacting the sheets against the tools.

According to another disclosed embodiment, a method is provided ofproducing a septumized cellular core. A plurality of cells are formed,each having cell walls and containing a composite septum forming,Forming the cells is performed by wrapping composite sheets around eachof a plurality of composite septums. The composite septums are joined tothe cell walls by co-curing the cells and the septums. The method mayalso include placing the septums respectively on a plurality of tools,including wrapping the composite sheets around each of the tools.Placing the septums respectively on the plurality of tools includesholding each of the septums between a male tool member and a female toolmember, exposing a section of each of the septums, and wrappingcomposite sheets includes wrapping the composite sheets around theexposed section of each of the septums. Forming the plurality of cellsincludes compacting the composite sheets against each of the tools. Themethod may also include indexing each of the septums within one of thecells by adjusting a position of the tool before performing co-curing,and arranging the tools into a tool array corresponding to the cells.The tools are removed after the co-curing.

According to still another embodiment, a method is provided of producingan acoustic liner, comprising placing a septum on each of a plurality oftools,

-   -   forming a cellular core having a plurality of cells, including        wrapping composite sheets around the tools, bringing a composite        sheets into contact with a section of each of the septums,        cocuring the cellular core and the septums, removing the tools        from the cellular core, and attaching first and second        facesheets on opposite sides of the cellular core.

According to a further embodiment, apparatus is provided for septumizinga core having a plurality of cells each having a number of sides. Theapparatus comprises matching male and female tool members adapted tohave a septum held therebetween. Each of the male and female toolmembers has a first section substantially matching a shape of the cells,and a second section substantially matching the shape of the septum. Themale and female tool members are axially aligned. The first section ofeach of the male and female tool members includes a plurality of flatsides equal to the number of sides of the cells. The second section ofthe male tool member includes a head adapted to have a septum sleevedthereover, and the second section of the female tool member is a cavityadapted to receive the head.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yetother embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrativeembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrativeembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment ofthe present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of a portion of the wingshowing an engine having an acoustically treated inlet.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view taken along the line2-2 in FIG. 1, showing a portion of an acoustic liner.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a bottom, perspective view of the cellularcore forming part of the acoustic liner shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bottom isometric view of a portion of thecellular core, showing the bottom ends of septa.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exploded, perspective view of a tool forlaying up and cocuring the cellular core with the septa.

FIG. 6 is an illustration similar to FIG. 5 but showing placement of aseptum between the male and female tool members.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view showing a septum heldbetween male and female tool members.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view showing the tool anda septum indexed within one of the cells of the core.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a perspective view of a layup tool assemblyduring wrapping of the tools.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a perspective view of partially formedindividual sheets and the placement of septums in channels formed in thesheets.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of a tool in the process of beingwrapped in a sheet.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of a nested stack of wrappedtools forming the layup tool assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a flow diagram broadly illustrates thesteps of a method of fabricating an acoustic liner.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a flow diagram of aircraft production andservice methodology.

FIG. 15 is illustration of a block diagram of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments relate to a method of septumizing a cellularcore, such as a honeycomb core, forming part of an acoustic treatmentthat can be used in any of a wide variety of applications forattenuating noise. For example, and without limitation, referring toFIG. 1, a high bypass engine 20 is mounted an aircraft wing 22 by apylon 24. The engine 20 includes a surrounding engine nacelle 26 havingan air inlet 28. The air inlet 28 includes an acoustically treated area30 in the form of an acoustic liner 32 for reducing noise caused by highairflow through the air inlet 28 into the engine 20.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 2-4 which illustrate additionaldetails of the acoustic liner 32, including a septumized acoustic core.The acoustic liner 32 is a sandwich panel construction (see FIG. 2)which broadly comprises a cellular honeycomb core 34, sometimes referredto herein as a cellular core 34, sandwiched between inner and outerfacesheets 36, 38 respectively. The inner facesheet 36 includes amultiplicity of perforations 40 therein which allow sound waves,including noise to pass through the inner facesheet 36 into the cellularcore 34. The inner facesheet 36 is attached to the top of the honeycombcore 34 by any suitable process such as adhesive bonding. Similarly, theouter facesheet 38 may be attached to the bottom the cellular core 34 byadhesive bonding.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner and outer facesheets 36, 38respectively each may comprise a composite laminate such as a CFRP(carbon fiber reinforced plastic) however, either of these facesheetsmay comprise other materials. The cellular core 34 is formed of amultiplicity of individual polygonal cells 42 defined by a number ofcell walls 44. In the illustrated example, the cells 42 are hexagonal,however other cell geometries are possible. The honeycomb core 34 isseptumized by a plurality of individual composite septums 46 which areintegral with the core 34. The septa 46 are perforated or may be formedfrom a porous material such as a mesh or fabric that allows a portion ofthe sound waves to pass through the septa 46, downwardly through thecells 42 toward the outer facesheet 38.

The individual septums 46, collectively referred to as septa 46, have anupper section 48 and a lower section 50. The upper section 40 of thesepta 46 have substantially the same cross-sectional shaped as the cells42 (hexagonal in the illustrated embodiment) and are joined to the cellwalls 44 to fix the position of the septa 46 within the cells 42. In theillustrated embodiment, the cell walls 44 and the septa 46 may be formedof a composite fabric (woven or knitted) such as a PEEK fabric, howeverother materials are possible. As will become later apparent, the use ofcomposite septa 46 and composite cell walls 44 allow the septa 46 to bejoined to the cell walls 44 by co-curing after the cellular core 34 hasbeen assembled, thereby integrating the septa 46 into the cellular core34.

The lower section 50 of the septa 46 extends down into the cells 42 adesired depth, forming cavities 52 within the cells 42 of a preselectedvolume, shape and surface area which achieve a desired acousticperformance for a chosen application. For example, in the case of anacoustic liner 32 for aircraft applications, the size, shape and surfacearea of the septa 46 may be selected to form resonant cavities 52 thatassist in canceling or damping sound waves/noise flowing over theacoustic liner 32 which enter cellular core 34 through the perforations40 in the inner facesheet 36.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower section 50 of the septa 46 isgenerally conical in shape, however the septa 46 may have other shapeswhich may be constant or varying over the area of the cellular core 34,allowing the acoustic liner 32 to be tuned in different areas toattenuate different types of noise, such as noises in differentfrequency ranges. Also, while the upper sections 48 of the septa 46 arepositioned at the top of the cells 42 in the illustrated embodiment, inother embodiments the septa 46 may be positioned lower within the cells42 such that the upper sections 48 are spaced below the top of the cells42.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 5-7 which illustrate a tool 54 thatis used to both layup and cure the cellular core 34. The tool 54comprises an elongate, male tool member 56 and an elongate female toolmember 58. The tool members 56, 58 are axially aligned and function as amatched toolset. Each of the male and female tool member 56, 58respectively have outer surfaces 60, 62 that substantially match thecross-sectional shape of the cells 42. In the illustrated example, theouter surfaces 60, 62 comprise flat sides that are equal to the numberof sides of the cells 42. The outer surfaces 60, 62 act as mandrel-likelayup surfaces, as will be discussed in more detail below.

The male tool member 56 includes a conically shaped tool head 64 thatmates with, and is received within a conical tool cavity 66. The toolhead 64 is configured to have one of the septums 46 sleeved thereover.The length of the septum 46 is greater than the length of the tool head64. After sleeving a septum 46 over the tool head 64, the tool members56, 58 are closed by axially drawing them together. When the toolmembers 56, 58 have been drawn together, capturing the septum 46therebetween, the lower section 50 of the septum 46 is trapped insidethe conical tool cavity 66, while the upper section 48 is exposed andextends down over the outer surface 60 of the male tool member 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, the tool 54 shown in FIGS. 5-7 may beemployed to layup, form and cure the cellular core 34 along with thesepta 46. Septums 46 are loaded into a plurality of the tools 54, witheach septum 46 captured and held between male and female tool members56, 58 respectively (FIG. 8). Each of the tools 54 is then wrapped 75(FIG. 11) with at least one sheet 70 of composite prepreg using anysuitable technique, including but not limited to manual wrapping andautomated equipment wrapping. During this wrapping process, the sheets70 are formed against the outer, hexagon shape surfaces 60, 62 of themale and female tool members 56, 58. The forming of the sheet 70 againstthe surfaces 60, 62 effectively forms the cell walls 44. Simultaneously,as the sheet 70 is wrapped around the tools 54, the entire periphery ofthe upper exposed section 48 of the septa 46 is brought into contactwith the surrounding sheet 70.

After being wrapped, each of the tools 54 is placed in a stack 85 (FIG.12) formed by nested rows 74 of wrapped tools 54. The process ofwrapping the tools 54 and placing them in the stack is continued until acomplete layup tool assembly 68 has been formed, as shown in FIG. 9. Aseach tool 54 is placed 85 in the stack, its longitudinal position isadjusted to index the upper portion 48 of the septum 46 in order to fixthe location (longitudinal position) of the septum 46 within a cell 42.

Depending upon the cross-sectional shape of the cells 42, the rows 74 ofthe tools 54 nest together as shown in FIG. 12, so that the outer toolsurfaces 60, compress the sheet 70 when compaction pressure is appliedto the tool array 68 using a compression press, vacuum bag pressureand/or autoclave pressure. As compaction pressure is applied to theformed sheet by the tools 54, the upper exposed sections 48 of thecomposite septum 46 are compacted against the surrounding cell walls 44.During a cure cycle, with the application of this compaction pressurealong with heat, the upper exposed sections 48 of the septa 46 areco-cured with the surrounding cell walls 44, thereby fixing the septa 46in indexed positions within the cells 42.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 13 which broadly illustrates theoverall steps of a method of fabricating an acoustic liner 32 in whichsepta 46 are installed within the cells 42 of the cellular core 34 asthe cellular core 34 is being fabricated. At step 76, the septa 46 arefabricated using any suitable technique, such as by weaving, knitting orjoining together two layers of composite fabric. At step 76, the septa46 are installed in individual tools 54 such that each septum 46 is heldbetween matching male and female tool members 56, 58. At step 80, acellular core 34 is formed by wrapping composite sheets 70 around eachof the tools 54. During this wrapping process, the septa 46 arelongitudinally indexed within the cells 42 and are brought intocircumferential contact with the cell walls 44. At step 82, the cellularcore 34 and the septa 46 are co-cured, thereby joining the septa 46 tothe cell walls 44, and integrating the septa 46 into the cellular core34.

During the cure process, the tools 54 act as cure mandrels whichmaintain the shape of the cells 42 and expand to apply compactionpressure which loads the septa 46 against the cell walls 44. Followingcuring, at step 84, the tools 54 are removed from the cells 42 byseparating the male and female tool members 56, 58 and withdrawing themfrom opposite ends of the cells 42. At 86, depending upon theapplication, the septumized cellular core 34 is bonded between inner andouter facesheets 36, 38. The inner facesheet 36 is perforated to allowsound waves to enter the cells 42 and pass through the septa 46.

Embodiments of the disclosure may find use in a variety of potentialapplications, particularly in the transportation industry, including forexample, aerospace, marine, automotive applications and otherapplication where acoustic treatments such as acoustic liners may beused. Thus, referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, embodiments of thedisclosure may be used in the context of an aircraft manufacturing andservice method 88 as shown in FIG. 14 and an aircraft 90 as shown inFIG. 15. Aircraft applications of the disclosed embodiments may include,for example, without limitation, acoustic liners for engine nacelles.During pre-production, exemplary method 88 may include specification anddesign 92 of the aircraft 90 and material procurement 94. Duringproduction, component and subassembly manufacturing 96 and systemintegration 98 of the aircraft 90 takes place. Thereafter, the aircraft90 may go through certification and delivery 100 in order to be placedin service 102. While in service by a customer, the aircraft 90 isscheduled for routine maintenance and service 104, which may alsoinclude modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on.

Each of the processes of method 88 may be performed or carried out by asystem integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer).For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may includewithout limitation any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-systemsubcontractors; a third party may include without limitation any numberof vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be anairline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and soon.

As shown in FIG. 15, the aircraft 90 produced by exemplary method 88 mayinclude an airframe 106 with a plurality of systems 108 and an interior110. Examples of high-level systems 108 include one or more of apropulsion system 112, an electrical system 114, a hydraulic system 116and an environmental system 118. Any number of other systems may beincluded. The propulsion system 112 may include engine nacelles that areprovided with acoustic liners in accordance with the disclosedembodiments. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles ofthe disclosure may be applied to other industries, such as the marineand automotive industries.

Systems and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one ormore of the stages of the production and service method 88. For example,components or subassemblies corresponding to production process 96 maybe fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components orsubassemblies produced while the aircraft is in service. Also, one ormore apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereofmay be utilized during the production stages 96, 98, for example, bysubstantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of an aircraft90. Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, method embodiments,or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft 90 is inservice 104.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. Forexample, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may include,without limitation, item A, item A and item B, or item B. This examplealso may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C. Theitem may be a particular object, thing, or a category. In other words,at least one of means any combination items and number of items may beused from the list but not all of the items in the list are required.

The description of the different illustrative embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrativeembodiments may provide different advantages as compared to otherillustrative embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus configured to septumize a core that comprises a plurality of cells, such that the apparatus comprises: male and female tool members configured to hold a septum therebetween, such that each of the male and female tool members respectively comprises: a first section that comprises an exterior configured as a mandrel that comprises a first shape that substantially matches and aligns with a shape of an exterior of a first section of the opposing tool member and matches a shape of an interior of a cell in the plurality of cells; and a second section that comprises a second shape that substantially matches a shape of the septum.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male and female tool members are axially aligned.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first section of each of the male and female tool members includes a plurality of flat sides equal to the number of sides of the cells.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the second section of the male tool member is a head adapted to have a septum sleeved thereover, and the second section of the female tool member is a cavity adapted to receive the head.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the septum has a length the head has a length less than the length of the septum causing a section of the septum to be exposed.
 6. An apparatus configured to form an acoustic core that comprises a septum, such that the apparatus comprises: an elongate male tool member that comprises a conically shaped tool head configured to: receive the septum that comprises an upper section, and a lower section that comprises a conical shape; and mate with and be received by a conical tool cavity in an elongate female tool member; and the elongate female tool member that comprises the conical tool cavity configured to trap the lower section of the septum such that the upper section of the septum extends over an outer surface of the elongate male tool member; wherein the elongate male tool member and the elongate female tool member are axially aligned and form a matched toolset.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the elongate male tool member has a plurality of first outer surfaces that substantially match a cross sectional shape of a cell.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the elongate female tool member has a plurality of second outer surfaces that substantially match the cross sectional shape of the cell.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of first outer surfaces comprise flat sides that are equal to the number of sides of the cell.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of second outer surfaces comprise flat sides that are equal to the number of sides of the cell.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of first surfaces are configured as layup surfaces.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of second surfaces are configured as layup surfaces.
 13. An apparatus configured to form a cell around a septum, such that the apparatus comprises: an elongate male cure mandrel that comprises: a body that comprises an exterior surface that comprises a shape that corresponds to a desired shape for an interior of a first portion of the cell; and a conically shaped tool head configured to: receive a septum that comprises an upper section, and a lower section that comprises a conical shape; and be received by, mate with, and release from a conical tool cavity in an elongate female cure mandrel that comprises: an exterior surface that comprises a shape that corresponds to a desired shape for an interior of a second portion of the cell; and the conical tool cavity configured to trap the lower section of the septum such that the upper section of the septum extends over an outer surface of the elongate male cure mandrel; wherein the elongate male cure mandrel and the elongate female cure mandrel align axially and form a matched toolset.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the elongate female cure mandrel includes the conical tool cavity that comprises a size and a shape configured to receive, mate with, and release the conically shaped tool head and the lower section of the septum.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the conically shaped tool head is configured to have a septum sleeved thereover.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the length of the septum is greater than a length of the conically shaped tool head.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the elongate male cure mandrel and the elongate female cure mandrel are configured to be mated by being axially drawn together.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elongate male cure mandrel and the elongate female cure mandrel are configured to capture the septum so that a lower section of the septum is trapped inside the conical tool cavity while an upper section of the septum is exposed and extends down over the exterior surface of the elongate male cure mandrel.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elongate male cure mandrel and the elongate female cure mandrel are each respectively configured to layup, form and cure a cellular core along with a septum.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a hexagon shaped outer surface of the male and female cure mandrels. 